Thoughts on potential candidates to fill the seat will follow. Though, as Ganassi astutely observed in that call, “Whoever fills that seat not only has obviously big shoes if not the biggest shoes to fill in the sport, but you’re also somebody that has to be a huge teammate and able to help Scott Dixon, as well, and Kanaan and Charlie (Kimball). So it’s not just a single-faceted job to get in that car. That car is part of a team that I think for years has run at the front of the pack, and everything that goes along with running at the front in terms of scoring points for championships and helping teammates win championships.”

Alex Tagliani. The veteran deputized admirably at Fontana until a late-race spin, and he has been listed for the team’s December 4 test at Sebring. Still, a full-time move to sports cars seems more likely for him at this point.

Ryan Briscoe. It could be “Ganassi 3.0″ for the Australian if he slots in, after a rocky rookie year in 2005 and a one-off in a fourth car at this year’s Indianapolis 500. He hasn’t confirmed a deal – or a signed contract – elsewhere although reports have linked him to Panther Racing, where he ran a handful of 2013 races, for months.

Justin Wilson. Signed a contract extension with Dale Coyne earlier this year and will have a new engineer either way with Bill Pappas gone to Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing. Coyne is still very likely for him, but this would be the plum opportunity in a top ride Wilson has always deserved.

Tony Kanaan. Ganassi said TK was “not out of the question” for the 10 car although he is signed with the No. 8 NTT Data/TNT Energy Drink Chevrolet as it stands. Reading between the lines, I believe he’ll stay in the 8 if Ganassi signs a veteran, and could shift to the 10 if Ganassi takes a chance on an up-and-comer.

Paul di Resta. Has just said in an interview with The Guardianhe has to consider IndyCar seriously if he gets dropped by Force India. Still an “if,” for now, though.

Conor Daly. Daly is known to be on the short list for the team, and as a young American who’s proved his versatility in various open-wheel series worldwide, would be a great addition full-time to the IndyCar field.

Sage Karam. This is the biggest wild-card I’m including on here, but it’s not impossible. Karam, the Indy Lights champion, has the same management team as Franchitti, has Mazda scholarship funding in hand and additional support from longtime backer Comfort Revolution.

A.N. Other. The “completely out of left field” choice a la Juan Pablo Montoya going to Penske. This option works if Ganassi manages to sign someone currently under contract to another team, or takes a flier on someone from Europe – perhaps di Resta as mentioned above – or someone else from the European junior categories.

Either way, the race to see who fills this seat is the most intense in IndyCar for the coming weeks.